Chain care, grease or 3 in 1

[EricAtl]

Took one cover off the leg extension and want to know what to do with the chain. Found an o,d thread that said 3 in 1 for chains. For bicycles I read don’t use 3 in 1, but a leg extension is not a bicycle.
Cleaned out the inside and have new shiny sheet metal screws. New vinyl should be here tomorrow.

[Teague242]

I would just put a bike chain lube on it or a motorcycle chain lube that is clear and non tacky. Like motorex or bel ray super clean chain lube. Nothing lithium based or it’ll be white and messy.

Grease would suck honestly.

[paulinkansas]

bel ray super clean .

Haven't heard the words Bel Ray in a long time. I used their 2 stroke oil in my Yam IT 250.

[Duplicitous]

I use 3-in-1 on my Nautilus chain drives and C2 rower. It eats through the plastic bottles they use now btw, so I recommend storing it in an oil can.

[Greybird2]

You should do a thread on that machine rehab.

[EricAtl]

I use 3-in-1 on my Nautilus chain drives and C2 rower. It eats through the plastic bottles they use now btw, so I recommend storing it in an oil can.

I’ll try the 3 in 1 since I have a bottle. Had not noticed it leaking but I’ve had this one for over a year.

You should do a thread on that machine rehab.

Maybe I’ll add some pics to my refurb thread.

[radrd]

I seriously doubt that 3in1 will be in any way detrimental. There might be better options like dedicated chain lube but I'm sure it's fine.

[rlundregan]

FWIW, I recall hearing that Concept 2's own brand of chain oil was simply 3 in 1.......I think they stopped selling their own and now recommend 3 in 1 for their rowers. I would do that for your machine, I can't imagine that grease wouldn't attract dust/grit and turn into a sticky mess that doesn't operate smoothly before long.

[gym62richard]

FWIW, I recall hearing that Concept 2's own brand of chain oil was simply 3 in 1.......I think they stopped selling their own and now recommend 3 in 1 for their rowers. I would do that for your machine, I can't imagine that grease wouldn't attract dust/grit and turn into a sticky mess that doesn't operate smoothly before long.

Concept 2 used to supply a mineral based chain oil, not sure if they still do. I remember reading on the c2 forum that most of the guys used 3in1 and that's what I've always used.

There are so many specialist bicycle chain lubes, but in an indoor setting I doubt you could do better than 3in1.

[EricAtl]

3 in 1 it is. Reps spread.

[MajorTendonitis]

Id try silicone spray . The same chit we used on the bars of foozball tables back in the day

[Teague242]

Haven't heard the words Bel Ray in a long time. I used their 2 stroke oil in my Yam IT 250.

They still make the same stuff.

I had an IT250 too.

[EricAtl]

Id try silicone spray . The same chit we used on the bars of foozball tables back in the day

Silicone spray for guide rods for sure. And yes also our fooseball table.

[liftingDoc]

3in1 is easy. I also read an old thread on another forum about bike chain oil. Its very overpriced for what it is. This is an indoor chain under a shroud. long story short, the article was written by a chemist and basically stated chainsaw bar/chain oil mixed with paint thinner in a proportion of about 3 to 1 (paint thinner to bar oil) will be an adequate lubricant. this is the cheapest mixture to use. the paint thinner evaporates very quickly however drags the heavier weight bar oil into the deeper parts of the chain. Thus only the thick bar oil is left on the moving parts of the chain. only my 2 cents.

[EricAtl]

3in1 is easy. I also read an old thread on another forum about bike chain oil. Its very overpriced for what it is. This is an indoor chain under a shroud. long story short, the article was written by a chemist and basically stated chainsaw bar/chain oil mixed with paint thinner in a proportion of about 3 to 1 (paint thinner to bar oil) will be an adequate lubricant. this is the cheapest mixture to use. the paint thinner evaporates very quickly however drags the heavier weight bar oil into the deeper parts of the chain. Thus only the thick bar oil is left on the moving parts of the chain. only my 2 cents.

Chemistry! I can access 100% of chain but otherwise good idea.